Did You Know...

French PM Dominique de Villepin has pledged to toughen anti-vandalism laws after a woman was severely burnt in an arson attack on a bus in Marseille.

Existing laws would be broadened to punish all those who are “involved in and encourage” such attacks, not just the perpetrators, Mr de Villepin said.

The Marseille attack left a 26-year-old woman with burns to most of her body…Last year’s riots were sparked by the deaths of two teenagers in a suburb of Paris. There is dispute over whether they were chased by police before they were electrocuted while hiding in an electricity sub-station.

During the violence last year, more than 10,000 cars were set ablaze and 300 buildings firebombed.